TVA PUBLIC LANDS Wear a Helmet—If You Fall In, a Helmet Can Protect Key

BE A GOOD STEWARD PADDLE POINTERS The Hiwassee River is known for its clean water and Follow these 12 tips to help keep your next paddle trip safe: pristine rural shorelines. Here’s how you can play a part in keeping the river beautiful: Know Your Limits—Paddle water that is appropriate to your skills. Not sure about • Stay on the path. Shorelines are fragile ecosystems; where to find it? Talk to a local paddle shop owner about good places to paddle please restrict launching and landing to designated for every skill level. areas only. Keep an Eye on the Weather—Storms can spring up quickly in the south bringing • Leave no trace behind. No littering—whatever you lightning, high winds and choppy water. Point your prow toward shore whenever pack in, you pack out. you hear thunder, no matter how distant. ON THE HIWASSEE RIVER • Look, don’t touch. Do not disturb any natural or cultural resources you may encounter. Follow the Law for recreational vessels of the United States. Whether you are stepping into your • Respect private property. Do not trespass above the high water mark. boat or board for the first time or have • Be a happy camper. Camp only in designated areas. Bring Flotation—Always wear a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket, type logged enough hours on the water to • Don’t play with fire. No campfires unless otherwise designated. two or three at minimum. Children under 12 years of age must rival the guides in the Valley, having wear a lifejacket.* a little back-pocket information is TVA PUBLIC LANDS Wear a Helmet—If you fall in, a helmet can protect key. Here is some simple information your head from hard or sharp objects that may be about some of the Tennessee River The public lands entrusted to lurking below the surface. Valley’s best paddles–where to show TVA for stewardship are available up, how to get there and what to bring for hiking, birdwatching, camping, Watch for River Hazards—Watch for fallen tree along for the ride. fishing, hunting and other informal limbs, barbed wire, bridge piers and other recreational pursuits. You just hazards that can snare or entangle you. One of the most amazing things about the need to remember that camping Tennessee River system and its tributaries is allowed for up to 14 days, and Be Visible...and Audible—Keep alert to other boats. If you believe another boat is how easy it is for you to get to places to relax that you need to follow state has not seen you, blow your whistle* and and play. As part of our mission of service, TVA manages hunting seasons and regulations. wave your paddle to alert the other boat. its public lands and waters to support recreation so that the Also, motorized vehicles, cutting of A flashlight* is required Tennessee Valley remains one of the best places in the country removing vegetation or removal of if you plan to paddle to live, work and play. cultural artifacts are not allowed on after sunset. TVA public lands. For more information visit www.tva.com/publiclandrules, or THE HIWASSEE RIVER BLUEWAY Dress for Success—Wear clothing sufficient to call the TVA’s Public Lands Information prevent hypothermia and/or sunburn. Looking for a great destination for a family paddling trip? You cannot do better than Center at (800) TVA-LAND (toll-free). the beautiful, wide Hiwassee River, part of the Tennessee River system. From its Wear Sunscreen—The CDC recommends applying headwaters in northern Georgia, the Hiwassee rambles 147 miles through western a sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 to help prevent North Carolina and east Tennessee before it empties into the Chickamauga TVA’S DAMS sunburn and skin damage. Reservoir above Chattanooga, Tenn. Whitewater paddling is popular in the The Hiwassee River is regulated by three Don’t Paddle Alone—Paddling is an activity that is river’s upper reaches near Reliance, but much of the Hiwassee’s water is Class I, large Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) always better with friends and family, anyway. signifying a smooth ride with few obstructions and small waves—in other words, tributary dams in western North Carolina and northern Georgia: perfect, for kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and float fishing. Chatuge Dam, Apalachia Dam and Hiwassee Dam. Never Drink and Paddle*—Alcohol impairs coordination and judgment. When paddling near a dam, please know: Water There are 20 public access sites to the Hiwassee River where you can put in Communicate Your Plan in Advance—Plan ahead, and let someone who’s not or take out your paddle craft—and endless ways to plan a trip between them. release schedules can change without notice due going to be aboard know your paddling agenda. Be aware that some sections of Assuming three miles per hour is your average speed, you easily could enjoy to unanticipated changes in weather conditions the river have no cell phone service. short stretches of the river in an afternoon, with stops to explore islands and other and power system requirements. The depth and natural features along the way. To make a multi-day trip, just plan to stay at one of swiftness of the river can change rapidly. Your *U.S. Coast Guard Requirement the adjacent campgrounds or in the small towns that line the river’s shores. safety depends on obeying all posted safety regulations and warnings. Information about the PARTNERS: Check out Hiwasseeblueway.com for up-to-date generation releases from Chatuge Dam, Apalachia Rainbow Trout information. Grab your paddles, your gear and Dam and Hiwassee Dam can be found on TVA. (Oncorhynchus mykiss) this map, and let your imagination be your guide. com and TVA’s Lake Info app. TVA’s recreational All you need to do is get out there and have a release schedule for Apalachia can be found good time. Share your own stories and photos online at www.tva.gov/Environment/Lake-Levels/ on Instagram or Twitter using #TVAfun, or at Apalachia. Or you can call (800) 238-2264 (toll-free) and select option 4 for www.facebook.com/TVA using our #TVAFun tab. predicted unit schedules and x22 for Apalachia information by phone. For fishing regulations and license It is important to understand the water schedule before paddling or requirements, please check with TWRA or swimming in the river as the water’s current and depth can change rapidly. visit www.gooutdoorstennessee.com. Generally, two units (or 2,800 cfs) provide conditions to paddle in the upper reach. Fishermen often prefer one unit flow or minimum flow for wading. tva.com | facebook.com/TVA | @TVAnews | @TVA LOWER HIWASSEE RIVER

HIWASSEE ISLAND

River Name Mile Parking Next Access Distance Class CHICKAMAUGA 58 LAKE N Mouse Creek 15.2 L Gravel B & B Marina 1.6 1 B & B Marina 13.6 L Paved Candie’s Creek 2.1 1 Blythe Ferry Candies Creek 11.5 L Gravel Ed’s Landing 0.9 1 Boat Ramp Ed’s Landing 12.7 R Dirt Gray’s Ferry 1.2 1 h nc ra Gray’s Ferry 11.5 L Dirt Price’s Creek 1.2 1 B n o Price’s Creek 10.3 R Gravel Hwy 58 Bridge 2.6 1 g o a L Hwy 58 Bridge 8.1 L Paved Sportsman’s Hwy 58 Dock 2.2 1 Sportsman’s Hwy 58 Dock 8.1 L Paved Agency Creek Campground 0 1

k Agency Creek Campground 8.1 L Paved Blythe Ferry e 7.9 1 60 re C *Before your trip, check the TVA Lake Info App or call 1-800-2264 (select #22 for Apalachia)rs to determine the river e g o elevation and streamflow. You can assume 3 miles/hour average speed; however, travelR speed and time may be impacted when the dam is generating and the flow has increased. Elevations are in feet above sea level. Discharges are in cubic feet h c per second and are reported at the end of the hour. (RL) River left bank, (RR) River right bank when looking downstream. n

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e Gray’s Ferry Rd Campground Recreation Areas r d C R r f a f g lu Marina TVA Public Land 58 u B S ’s d a North 60Miles E B&B Mouse 0 0.2250.45 0.9 1.35 1.8 k Marina Creek e e r 75 DIFFICULTY Based on the International Scale of River Dif culty, the Hiwassee C k c River is primarily Class I (moving water with small waves and few obstructions) i L and Class II (easy rapids with wide, clear channels and some maneuvering TO Ledford Island Rd, NW required). Certain sections may be considered Class III (rapids with high waves capable of swamping an open canoe, which require complex maneuvering). CHATTANOOGA 308 Candies For more information and online maps visit: Creek www.tnvalleywatertrails.org or www.tva.gov/recreation

DISCLAIMER: The featured map is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended, and should not be relied upon or to provide accurate locations, directions or data. Paddle at your own risk. Fallen trees, built structures, and other hazards are present in the water throughout the Hiwassee River Blueway system. Be alert to weather conditions, water levels and river traffic. Know your abilities. Boating involves some risk of drowning, injury, or death. TVA is not responsible for your personal safety or for your vehicle, and is not liable for injury to you or damage to your vehicle, boat or personal property. 18 -1773 0318 MIDDLE HIWASSEE RIVER l Lower Rive r R Calon

Water St Cerokee Crossing Name River Mile Parking Next Access Distance Class C a ss Patty Bridge 37.9 L Gravel Old Patty’s Bridge 2.3 1 St Calon Old Patty’s Bridge 35.6 L Gravel Two Rivers Campground 0.3 1 11 Two Rivers Campground 35.3 L Paved Calhoun Boat Ramp 15.2 1 Carleston Calhoun Boat Ramp 20.1 R Gravel Charleston Boat Ramp 0.4 1 oat Ram Charleston Boat Ramp 19.7 L Paved North Mouse Creek 4.5 1 Carleston *Before your trip, check the TVA Lake Info App or call 1-800-2264 (select #22 for Apalachia) to determine the river elevation

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DIICL Based on the International Scale of River Dif culty, the Hiwassee r R a STATE PARK River is primarily Class I (moving water with small waves and few obstructions) P and Class II (easy rapids with wide, clear channels and some maneuvering required). Certain sections may be considered Class III (rapids with high waves wo Rivers 411 capable of swamping an open canoe, which require complex maneuvering). Camgron

For more information and online maps visit: l Pattys www.tnvalleywatertrails.org or www.tva.gov/recreation rige

WARNING: A non-TVA low-head dam is located in Calhoun, Tenn., at the confluence of the Oostanaula River and Hiwassee River. Low-head dams are concrete or masonry structures built across the river long ago. They are dangerous because they can produce recirculating currents, large hydraulic forces and conditions that can trap and drown victims. Do not swim, jump or paddle upstream of a low-head dam. For more information about low-head dams, visit www.safedam.com. DISCLAIMER: The featured map is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended, and should not be relied upon or to provide accurate locations, directions or data. Paddle at your own risk. Fallen trees, built structures, and other hazards are present in the water throughout the Hiwassee River Blueway system. Be alert to weather conditions, water levels and river traffic. Know your abilities. Boating involves some risk of drowning, injury, or death. TVA is not responsible for your personal safety or for your vehicle, and is not liable for injury to you or damage to your vehicle, boat or personal property. er ee Riv 18 -1773 0318 co D e la n o UPPER HIWASSEE RIVER R eek Cr e e R G

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e e G River Name Mile Parking Next Access Distance Class igway HIWASSEEOOEE Pike STATE AR Powerhouse Boat Ramp 55 R Gravel Toweewe e 1.1 Class 2 & 3 o Towee 53.9 R Paved Reliance 4.3 Class 2 & 3

Gee Creek Reliance 49.6 R Gravel Gee Creek Campground 4.9 Class 2 & 3 411 Gee Creek Campground 44.7 R Paved Hwy 411 1 Class 2 & 3 Sr ing Cre Highway 411 43.7 R Gravel Patty Bridge 5.8 ek Class 2 & 3 R *Before your trip, check the TVA Lake Info App or call 1-800-2264 (select #22 for Apalachia) to determine the river elevation Srin g Creek and streamflow. You can assume 3 miles/hour average speed; however, travel speed and time may be impacted when the dam is generating and the flow has increased. Elevations are in feet above sea level. Discharges are in cubic feet per second

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P r It is important to understand the water schedule before paddling or swimming in the river as the water’s current and depth o n g can change rapidly. TVA’s water release schedule can be found online at www.tva.gov/Environment/Lake-Levels/Apalachia.

i w Cherokee National Forest, Ocoee Ranger District (423) 338-3300 Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park (423) 263-0050

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e k l n l e e E Powerose r nnel Miles C oat Ram ek s e i r 0 0.15 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 l C l i E g it m Lo S DIICL Based on the International Scale of River Dif culty, the Hiwassee st C ree River is primarily Class I (moving water with small waves and few obstructions) k and Class II (easy rapids with wide, clear channels and some maneuvering TO required). Certain sections may be considered Class III (rapids with high waves capable of swamping an open canoe, which require complex maneuvering). TO OCOEE APALACHIA DAM & HWY 236 For more information and online maps visit: www.tnvalleywatertrails.org or www.tva.gov/recreation